50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

52The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

53They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

T.S. - The scene of the crucifixion of Jesus is a scene of God’s grace in deed and action.

I. What is so amazing about grace?

a. Grace is always directly related to the cross and its eternal meaning.

i. When you speak of the cross you speak and talk about grace. Grace came as a result of the cross, grace was birthed on the cross by Christ’s death, by His acts and by His words.

1. Prior to Jesus arrival to earth you never heard of the word grace.

2. Jesus birthed the word through his life and death and gave it meaning.

3. He never used the word He just role modeled it to a fallen world and this new word was created by Him.

a. The word has moved on throughout history impacting person upon person over time.

b. But it all got started or birthed from the atrocity of the cross and Jesus death.

c. This amazing grace is defined by Chuck Swindoll as:

i. To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it.

ii. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver (9).